🔗 Share this article Following almost destroying our planet, the relatives have become friends’: a thrilling podcast from John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev’s relatives. During October 1962, the planet came closer to annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of extreme tension. An Unthinkable Danger The peril was palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting mankind into total oblivion. The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel dimension into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp. "What were the Soviet side planning? What were the United States planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs. For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they go against each other?" "It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or can become total enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight." The Precipice Towards Disaster What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly as it happened while it moved closer to armageddon. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody realised. "The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope. A Different Perspective Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different version of events. "You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful and positive." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America." An Unlikely Collaboration This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress. "Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat." Modern Echoes with Present Perils Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp
During October 1962, the planet came closer to annihilation more so than ever during the contemporary era. This occurred when an American reconnaissance aircraft discovered the fact that Russian atomic missile sites were being built on the island of Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the US mainland. In response, President JFK directed the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet to establish a naval blockade around Cuba. The ensuing period constituted almost a fortnight of extreme tension. An Unthinkable Danger The peril was palpable. Should Kennedy, or his Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, had fired against the other side, a cascade involving worldwide atomic strikes followed by counterstrikes might have followed, thrusting mankind into total oblivion. The Cuban missile crisis has been documented repeatedly, in volumes, films, and television programmes. But, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a novel dimension into this historical narrative. The series is jointly hosted featuring Kennedy's relative alongside Khrushchev's descendant, family members belonging to the men who, for two tense weeks, controlled the fate of the planet within their grasp. "What were the Soviet side planning? What were the United States planning?" asks Nina Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s great-granddaughter and a professor specializing in international affairs. For her, the unique appeal of the show is its endeavor to question: "Why do nations detest each other to the point they go against each other?" "It was not lost on me how remarkable the fact that humans have the potential to be friends or can become total enemies," states Max Kennedy, son of RFK, related to the late president and now an author and attorney. "History shows this dynamic over and over when countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality involved to fight." The Precipice Towards Disaster What is remarkable about the Cuban missile crisis is that, because it unfolded so publicly, citizens globally were able to observe nearly as it happened while it moved closer to armageddon. However, the risk of destruction came closer than what anybody realised. "The overwhelming majority in the White House wanted a military strike followed by an invasion," notes Max Kennedy. "Had the U.S. attacked Cuba with the naval blockade, there is no question the Russians stationed there would have fired a tactical nuclear weapon against the American ships, and that would have destroyed the aircraft carriers as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation that would have eradicated all life on Earth." The reality this did not occur stands as credit to Kennedy and Khrushchev, who managed to keep their heads and calmly negotiate at a time when hawkish elements in their governments was pushing for military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles from the Caribbean island while President Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed at the time) removed American similar weapons based in NATO ally Turkey. The relief was palpable, as was the sense of hope. A Different Perspective Yet, during those two weeks of October 1962, the fear was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s presenters came into the world in the years following the crisis, with Nina being taught about the crisis via the USSR's education system, which presented a slightly different version of events. "You said your father recalls it, describing it as a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But in the Soviet Union, people really didn’t know a great deal regarding the crisis, because it was a crisis, whereas under the Soviet system the official line was that things are always wonderful and positive." Inside the Khrushchev household, though, the perspective was distinct. "They told me that it was a triumphant moment for the USSR, as it represented a direct confrontation. They were able to find a solution, thus avoided a global war, seen as a positive thing," she adds. Later on, however, that interpretation would not be shared by everybody. "For decades in Russian politics, it was considered a setback for the Soviet leader, simply he didn’t blow up America." An Unlikely Collaboration This podcast is remarkably even-handed and expertly crafted so much so that Nina jokes she nearly forgot she already knew the ending. This effect is, partly, due to the participation of historians. But, really, the most groundbreaking aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Not so long ago, it was inconceivable that relatives of the leaders of America and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that these two individuals are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth toward one another, must be seen as a symbol of progress. "Max and I are not the first," smiles Khrushcheva. "Following 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and formed a close bond with the former president's family." "However we were strangers prior to this project," adds Kennedy. "That is a shame because we connected immediately and we are friends, something that is really great. Ultimately, following almost 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families are now allies, so I think global relations is safer, somewhat." Modern Echoes with Present Perils Or is it? One reason the reason this series feels so necessary is because we once again find ourselves living through a perilous era. The Doomsday Clock is closer to catastrophe in its history, partly since world leaders don’t seem to have the capacity to grasp